BOARD MEETING DATE: July 12, 1996
AGENDA NO. 8
PROPOSAL:
Cost-Share the Retrofit of a Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Methanol Bus to Operate on Compressed
Natural Gas
SYNOPSIS:
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (LACMTA) staff is considering converting its methanol bus fleet
to operate on other fuels. To evaluate all options for the methanol buses,
LACMTA plans to evaluate retrofitting the buses to operate on compressed
natural gas (CNG) or other fuels. LACMTA has requested financial assistance
to support the conversion of one methanol bus to CNG to determine the feasibility
of this approach. AQMD's cost-share will not exceed $75,000. Total project
cost is approximately $192,800.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, June 12, 1996, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with
the Southern California Gas Company or LACMTA for the conversion of one
LACMTA methanol bus to compressed natural gas, in an amount not to exceed
$75,000.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
CSL:ARA:CS
Background
Emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles contribute
significantly to the Basin's poor air quality. Transit buses are particularly
noticeable to the public, and an effort has been made to encourage the
use of alternative fuels in transit buses. LACMTA has operated 333 methanol-fueled
transit buses since 1991. Although these buses have considerably lower
emissions, their cost of operation is higher than their diesel counterparts.
LACMTA staff has requested its Board of Directors
for approval to convert the 333 methanol bus fleet to operate on diesel
fuel. As an alternative, it has been suggested that the methanol buses
could be converted to operate on compressed natural gas, thus continuing
to contribute to emissions reductions. In order to evaluate the feasibility
of converting the methanol bus fleet, LACMTA staff obtained Board authority
to convert three methanol buses to operate on various diesel technologies.
In addition the Board directed LACMTA staff to evaluate the possibility
of modifying a methanol bus to operate on CNG.
Proposal
LACMTA has requested assistance from the Southern
California Gas Company and the AQMD, as well as other interested parties,
to support the effort to convert one of the methanol buses to CNG.
The proposed project, with the Southern California
Gas Company in the lead, will modify one methanol transit bus to operate
on CNG. The modification will include removal of all methanol-related components
and installation of a CNG engine, fuel storage cylinders, fuel delivery
system, and other CNG-related components. After completion of the modification,
a field test will be conducted to ascertain the operational characteristics
and performance of the CNG bus. A cost analysis will be performed to determine
the cost to convert all the methanol buses to operate on CNG. Finally,
LACMTA will conduct emissions testing to determine the comparable emissions
reductions.
The proposed project falls under Program MS-11,
"Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Technologies
for On-Road Applications," in the Technology Advancement Plan for
the Clean Fuels Program. Although the completion of this one-bus conversion
and field test will not yield significant emission reductions, the potential
alternative of converting 333 methanol buses to diesel operation will result
in significant emission increases. Upon successful completion of the proposed
retrofit, should LACMTA decide to convert the remaining 332 methanol buses
to CNG, and assuming the use of the latest CNG technology, there is the
potential for even greater emissions reductions than achieved by the methanol
buses.
Sole Source Justification
Section II, Step 3(C) of the Consultant Selection
Policy and Procedure identifies four provisions under which a sole-source
contract may be awarded: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds cost for
consultant, (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health,
(3) services are only available from sole-source, (4) other circumstances
exist identifying sole-source as in the best interests of the AQMD. This
request for sole-source award is made under provision (4). It is in AQMD's
best interests to enter into a cost-share agreement with the Southern California
Gas Company or LACMTA to modify a methanol transit bus to operate on CNG,
and test the performance and emissions of that bus. The AQMD contribution
to the project shall not exceed $75,000; total cost of the project is $192,800.
The Southern California Gas Company will provide
overall project management and, in conjunction with CalStart and NGV Ecotrans,
will assume responsibility for vehicle modification. The LACMTA will provide
technical review, field test participation and emissions testing. The Southern
California Gas Company is a leader in implementing the use of natural gas
in Basin fleets. They have cost-shared the establishment of a CNG fueling
facility at the LACMTA, and have provided technical support to the LACMTA
staff in establishing technical specifications for the procurement of natural
gas buses.
The work to convert the subject methanol bus to
CNG will be subcontracted to NGV Ecotrans. NGV Ecotrans was established
to provide natural gas vehicle support services, from vehicle retrofit
and engine repowering to ongoing maintenance and repair of natural gas
vehicles. All conversion work for this proposed project will be completed
by NGV Ecotrans and no other subcontracting opportunities for minority-owned,
women-owned or disabled veteran owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DVBE)
have been identified. Although NGV Ecotrans is not a MBE/WBE/DVBE , they
are located in an economic development zone of Los Angeles and provide
training and employment for minorities and disadvantaged citizens.
It is in the AQMD's interest to support the well-qualified
team and resources assembled to complete the proposed project to demonstrate
a clean fuel, low emission, cost-effective conversion alternative to the
replacement of methanol buses with diesel.
Resource Impacts
Total estimated cost of the engine modification,
field test, and emissions testing is $192,800; cost to the AQMD will not
exceed $75,000. Funding sources are detailed below:
| Cofunder | Direct Funding | In-Kind Resources | Total |
| AQMD | $75,000 | $75,000 | |
| SoCal Gas | $12,000 | 12,000 | |
| CalStart | 25,000 | 25,000 | |
| Cummins Engine Co. | 40,000 | 40,000 | |
| ZF Transmissions | 24,000 | 24,000 | |
| LACMTA | 10,000 | 10,000 | |
| NGV Ecotrans | 6,800 | 6,800 | |
| Total | $100,000 | $92,800 | $192,800 |
Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1996-97 Budget to fund this project.
BD13:7-96A